On the generalized Zipf distribution. Part I

This article is concerned with a class of informetric distribution, a family of skew distributions found to describe a wide range of phenomena both within or outside of information sciences and referred to as being of Zipf-type. A generalization of Zipf distribution (a size-frequency form of the Zipf’s law), named the generalized Zipf distribution, is introduced. Two main characterizations of the generalized Zipf distribution are obtained based on the proportionate hazard rate and truncated moments. Finally, some asymptotic properties of the generalized Zipf distribution are investigated.     

Innovation and Australian Industrial Relations by Chris Fisher, (Croom Helm,Australia, 1983) pp . 226, $24.95 [hb], $12.95 [pb]

This paper is concerned with one aspect of the assessment of a new technology — describing the temporal utilisation of the technology in use. The technologies that are considered here are barium meal radiology and fibre optic endoscopy, two major diagnostic procedures for the upper gastrointenstinal tract. The data employed relate to private fee-for-service medicine in Australia and have been collected under Australia's health insurance arrangements. Statistically significant differences in utilisation rates for these diagnostic procedures are found between the states of Australia. Also it is shown that per capita use of these procedures is rising at an annual rate of 2.4 per cent per annum. Although it is not possible from the data employed here to specify what factors have determined these utilisation rates, some possible explanations are considered. A secondary aspect of the paper is that it demonstrates how data from the Health Insurance Collection can be analysed despite the changes to health insurance arrangements introduced by the Commonwealth government since 1975–76.